Assault victims speak out in new Navy videos

May. 5, 2014 - 06:00AM
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Cryptologic Technician 1st Class Bonnie McCammond (Video)

Cryptologic Technician 1st Class Bonnie McCammond thought she was among friends when she crashed on the couch at a housewarming party several years ago.

She awoke to another sailor raping her, and as she was leaving the next morning, he asked for her phone number. He said he had a great time and he’d like to see her again, she recalled.

“And in that moment it’s like, ‘You really think this is OK,’” she said. “You think that someone asleep, anywhere, whether intoxicated or not — you didn’t think there was a problem with this.”

McCammond’s story is the first in a new video series from the 21st Century Sailor Office, dubbed “Broken Links.” It took her more than a year to come forward, but now she’s teamed up with Navy leadership to help prevent assaults.

The videos will feature interviews with victims, ship COs, victim advocates and others. The campaign is kicking off as Sexual Assault Awareness Month comes to a close and the Navy continues its Sexual Assault Prevention and Response efforts throughout this year.